Blackburn Townscape Heritage

As part of a wider drive to regenerate the Town Centre, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council commissioned Buttress as part of a multi-disciplinary team to play a key role in developing an application for Round 2 funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in the form of a Townscape Heritage (TH) scheme.

The study area covered the Blakey Moor and Northgate areas and incorporated local landmarks such as King George’s Hall, the William Gladstone statue and the Waves Leisure Centre.

The scope of work included condition surveys to identify works eligible for funding and option appraisals for the conservation and future use of the area.

The option appraisal element entailed a socio-economic study of the town in conjunction with the condition and significance of the TH area in order to put forward viable and sustainable future uses that enhance the heritage value of Blackburn Town Centre.

This included putting forward schedule of repairs and sympathetic conservation of the historic structures, in addition to high level proposals for a new build on the site of the soon to be demolished Waves Leisure Centre.

In addition to the surveys and proposals, the team was actively involved in stakeholder consultations, which took the form of meetings with councillors, open forums with building owners/tenants and presentations promoting heritage skills to staff and students at Blackburn College.

The TH successfully received a HLF Stage 2 approval in July 2017, and is now proceeding towards implementation.